Sunday, June 25, 2017

Neither Party Cares About Helping Poor People

CNN Kasich Says Neither Party Cares about Helping Poor People


I keep liking this guy more and more.

"You look at the rates of poverty, the problems in this country. We have not designed a system to get people work. Everything we're talking about now — getting people healthy, giving them health care — is designed to get them to work. It's designed to give them an opportunity to have a better life.

"And maybe this is a signal that instead of people just confessing their loyalty to one party or the other, maybe they ought to be confessing their loyalty to the country," Kasich said, adding that political leaders need to stand up and say what they think about things regardless of potential backlash.

"I don't think we have enough leadership," Kasich continued. "I think too many people cower, you know, in the wings because of partisanship. Not just Republicans; Democrats as well. If you try to get a great number of governors, Republican or Democrat, to speak out on this, where are they? All you hear are crickets and chirping because they're, they're worried about upsetting their base." 
"Or getting ads run against them like that," Bash added.

"So what?" Kasich replied. "Then get -- then, if you can't take a fastball on the inside, get out of politics."
Makes sense to me...

 Liberals seem to think giving poor people "something for nothing" is in some way helping them "learn to fish" when it just teaching them to "line up for more free fish". And of course it is teaching the bureaucrats that if you fail you gain funding and job security.

And Conservatives seem to think that the unsuccessful folk will somehow magically succeed if the government does nothing to help them. Apparently it was just a fluke that all those people were unsuccessful and impoverished before government started offering aid.

48 comments:

Anonymous said...

Actually we, the Democrats, do care about helping poor folks.It's rich people we don't care about. I thought that was pretty obvious. That's why we want to punish wealth with progressive taxes. It's why we want to force the wealthy to pay America's health care bills.

Now I think it's arguable whether we should want that, but I never thought it was disputable that those were the policies we want. Even Donald Trump acknowledges that we oppose his policy of taking health insurance away from 24 million Americans in order to finance tax cuts for his wealthy family and friends. It's the political wisdom of that he questions.

--Hiram

Anonymous said...

By the way, we have leaders coming out of our eara. I even saw a Democratic congressman referred to as "key", which in real life, only his mother could think he is. What we lack is followership.

--Hiram

John said...

Hiram,
I do believe that the Liberals want to keep the poor fed, medically cared for, clothed, housed and voting Democrat.

This is roughly what a farmer does for his cow / calf herd. However, I am not sure that means the farmer truly cares for them at any emotional level.

Where as when a good Parent truly cares for their child they do so much more than keep them fed, medically cared for, clothed and housed. They also teach, coach, encourage, demand more and hold the child responsible for growing, learning and developing into an independent adult.

Sean said...

I'll gladly not have you tell me what my emotions are, thank you very much. You should spend far less time projecting your stereotypes on others and finding something more productive to do.

John said...

As we are both aware I am stereotyping all "Liberals" when I make the comments above. However we also both know that individuals are all different.

I can acknowledge that there are some Liberals who truly care for the poor and want to help them become happy, healthy, independent and productive citizens.

Can you acknowledge that there are Conservatives who feel the same? Even as they are cutting the safety nets and taxes?

Or do you subscribe to the Liberals care / Conservatives are greedy / selfish stereotype?

Sean said...

"Can you acknowledge that there are Conservatives who feel the same?"

I've never said otherwise.

"Or do you subscribe to the Liberals care / Conservatives are greedy / selfish stereotype?"

You're the one around here who constantly tries to stuff people in a box, not me.

John said...

Sean,
I am happy you think well of some Conservatives.

Actually this time you jumped into the box of your own volition... I made a broad stereotypical comment about Liberals, and you commented that "I'll gladly not have you tell me what my emotions are"... Well it seems that you do self identify as a Liberal then.

At least Hiram gets it... "That's why we want to punish wealth with progressive taxes. It's why we want to force the wealthy to pay America's health care bills." There is nothing in his comments about helping unsuccessful people escape there dependency... Just a desire to keep them safe, cared for and dependent. Kind of like my friend cares for his cow/ calf herd.

Well maybe Liberals do care after all...

Sean said...

"Well it seems that you do self identify as a Liberal then."

I have no opposition to the label. What I do oppose is your constant attempts to tell me what my position is and how I feel. You don't speak for me, regardless of how you label me.

John said...

I do not seek to do this... "tell me what my position is and how I feel"

I am describing stereotypes / common themes that I believe to be supported by the statements, policies and actions of the further Lefts and further Rights.

"Liberals seem to think giving poor people "something for nothing" is in some way helping them "learn to fish" when it just teaching them to "line up for more free fish". And of course it is teaching the bureaucrats that if you fail you gain funding and job security.

And Conservatives seem to think that the unsuccessful folk will somehow magically succeed if the government does nothing to help them. Apparently it was just a fluke that all those people were unsuccessful and impoverished before government started offering aid.?"

John said...

Sean,
Maybe you don't relate with my Liberal stereotype because you are actual a Left Leaning Centrist and not actually a Liberal?

Anonymous said...

You and your idiotic labels. He just told you to stop labeling him.

Moose

Anonymous said...

I had a co-worker once who believed in labels the same way you do.

When we first met, she asked about my name, and I told her I had German ancestry. From then on, in every conversation, she would presume to tell me how I must have acted, or how I would act, in almost any situation, based on the fact that my ancestry is German.

It's obnoxious.

Moose

John said...

Moose,
Actually Left Leaning Centrist is the result he received from the Nolan test back here.

Did you ever do one of the tests? I would be fascinated to see where you landed. And if the different tests yielded similar or different results?

John said...

I agree that trying to predicted a persons future beliefs / actions based on one's race, creed, ancestry, etc is foolish. (ie that implies genetics is very dominant)

Where as remember that I believe most us are mostly what our environment made us... (ie country born and raised in, Parents, Friends, Church, Community, Economic status, etc)

John said...

And the Nolan tests are likely very accurate for a long period of time if one is honest when taking them.

As we have found from experience at G2A, most people don't seem to change their politics significantly after they are 40+.

Sean said...

"I am describing stereotypes / common themes that I believe to be supported by the statements, policies and actions of the further Lefts and further Rights."

I think your stereotypes are too simplistic descriptions of both sides, actually.

But more to the point, debating such stereotypes are pointless. They don't get anybody anywhere. You're right in that people can say "I care for the poor" while actually doing nothing to help the poor.

What's truly important is talking about the policies because that's what going to have a real world impact.

I want people to be more self-sufficient. How does the Senate health care bill, for instance, move that needle? I would argue it moves it in the wrong direction. People who can't get health care aren't going to be able to hold down jobs or go to school or take on those "productive" roles in society you expect them to.

John said...

Just curious, does it scare you that people can estimate your future positions and comments based on where you are on the Nolan diagram?

It seems logical to me...

John said...

Sean,
Remember the G2A stated purpose.

"Raising social involvement, self awareness and self improvement topics, because our communities are the sum of our personal beliefs, behaviors, action or inaction. Only "we" can improve our family, work place, school, city, country, etc."

and Tolstoy's famous quote. "Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself."

I am happy to discuss policies, positions, etc and yet I think the bigger issue is how to help people understand where they are in reality. (ie self awareness and deception)
G2A Conflict and Collusion
G2A Breaking the Cycle

Sean said...

One of your own links points out that stereotyping and labeling others is a sign of self-deception.

John said...

Yes it does... However remember that I am aware that I am stating a broad stereotype to make a point... Whereas unfortunately a lot of people in our very partisan world seem to truly believe the stereotypes and are willing to attribute them to individuals who believe differently. That my side are heroes and those others are villains thing.

Remember that The Anatomy of Peace is one of my favorite books. It should be mandatory reading...

How to Recover Inner Clarity & Peace

Look for signs of self deception (blaming others, self justification, stereotyping, labeling/dehumanizing others, etc)

Stop and find a new perspective (friends/family who are not involved, memories, activities, places, etc)

Ponder the situation anew. Ask:

What are the other person’s or people’s challenges, trials, burdens, and pains?

How am I, or some group of which I am part, adding to these challenges, trials, burdens, and pains?

In what other ways have I or my group neglected or mistreated this person or group?

In what ways are my "better-than", "I-deserve", "worse-than", and "must-be-seen-as" boxes obscuring the truth about others and myself and interfering with potential solutions?

What am I feeling I should do for this person or group? What could I do to help?

To prevent falling back into self deception: I need to act upon what I have discovered. I need to do what I am feeling I should do !

By the way, this does not mean that you GIVE IN ALL THE TIME or LET YOURSELF BE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF !!!! More on this soon. Thoughts ?

John said...

G2A Conflict with Heart

Sean said...

Frankly, I don't see a whole lot of signs that you follow the tenets of the above. But, that's just my opinion.

John said...

Did you even read Conflict with Heart???

Why is a "heart" while conflicting and collaborating critical?

You are holding dialogue or working with people that have wants, needs and feelings. You will lose your ability to listen or be heard if you stop thinking of them as individual people and start thinking of them as objects, groups, obstacles, stereotypes, labels, etc.
You need to know your real / absolute position in order to get somewhere. An example, you "know" you are standing in the woods North of Brainerd... When you are actually in the woods North of Lutsen... How can you participate in a productive dialogue if you are working with unclear and biased stories? (Do your research and THINK !!!)

You need to know where you ultimately want to end up. This a broad Principle Based destination, not a specific road map. How can you look for new solutions if you are locked into a turn by turn navigation system?

You should be looking to win/win the war, not the battle. Often the larger goal is similar and only the path varies, however this can only be seen by striving to understand the other persons priorities, culture, motive and perspective.

It is critical to be empathetic, self aware, principle based and using relatively unbiased stories if you truly want to influence people. (ie influence ---- not railroad...)

Examples of "Conflict with Heart"

As a Citizen, you disagree with a public policy and begin working with the policy makers to try and bring about change. You work to understand the concerns and constraints of the public officials and to see if there is a common solution.

The other group is still resistant, so you create a new vision and win people to your position. All the time keeping your opponent's concerns in mind so that when the policy is changed, the opponents will feel they were listened to and some of their concerns were addressed. (ie "No heart" would insult belittle stereotype the opponent and purposefully not address the opponent's concerns out of spite.) {very popular in current American politics}

John said...

How many people here can say that they think Clinton, Bush, and Obama were okay Presidents?

How many can understand that neither the Liberals nor the Conservatives have ill intent?

I can still disagree with people... I just have to remember that the people I am disagreeing with are humans like me. Not monsters, villains, idiots, etc.

John said...

Now let's review my original "stereotypes.

"Liberals seem to think giving poor people "something for nothing" is in some way helping them "learn to fish" when it just teaching them to "line up for more free fish". And of course it is teaching the bureaucrats that if you fail you gain funding and job security.

And Conservatives seem to think that the unsuccessful folk will somehow magically succeed if the government does nothing to help them. Apparently it was just a fluke that all those people were unsuccessful and impoverished before government started offering aid.?"

No where in this do I de-humanize the groups of people. I simply disagree with their politics / beliefs.

John said...

Please note that no where in my summary do I insist that either the Liberals or Conservatives heroes or villains. To me they are just humans who I disagree with.

As for my comparing humans to farm animals. I personally believe that every human is unique and should be made to work for their keep and to care for their dependents. Without this effort, hope. motivation, independence they and their spirit suffer terribly.

That is why I get so angry at the Liberal policies that in essence give up on these humans. The policies that insist that these humans need to be provide feed, housing, medicine, etc so they can survive. Because without they are as bunnies in the desert...

Laurie said...

I agree with Shawn. It is odd that you see yourself so differently than people who read your blog posts / comments see you.

Laurie said...

I also agree with Shawn that you should stop commenting on your made up liberal views, implying that that is what I think. I find your comments about teaching people to fish very annoying. I think most people who receive medicaid and other govt benefits are already working or else unable to work- the problem is not their deficient character. For example:

"Data from the 2015 National Health Interview Survey illustrate that most healthy Medicaid expansion beneficiaries are working or pursuing economic opportunities. Half (48 percent) of adults covered by the Medicaid expansion are permanently disabled, have serious physical or mental limitations—-caused by conditions like cancer, stroke, heart disease, cognitive or mental health disorders, arthritis, pregnancy, or diabetes—-or are in fair or poor health. Low-wage jobs are often physically demanding, precluding those with limitations from employment. Of the other half, who might be viewed as “able-bodied,” 62 percent are already working or in school and 12 percent are looking for work; only 25 percent are not currently working or in school. (More information about the analyses is at the end of this brief.)

Only 13 percent of adults covered by Medicaid’s expansion are able-bodied and not working, in school, or seeking work. Of that small group, three-quarters report they are not working in order to care for family members and the rest report other reasons, like being laid off. A much higher share of overall American adults are unemployed or not in the labor force (28 percent), according to 2015 Census data. Medicaid expansion enrollees are more likely to be working or looking for work than the general public, unless they are burdened by ill health or the needs of their families. Moreover, Medicaid expansions could make it easier for beneficiaries to find work, as reported in Ohio."

John said...

Hey Laurie,

Shawn is my liberal FB friend that I disagree with often.

Sean is my G2A somewhat liberal acquaintance who I disagree with sometimes.

John said...

Now Laurie,
Please remember your statement...

"sometimes I spout the standard liberal line rather than my more nuanced actual views. When ever I answer a poll type question I always respond with the correct liberal answer."

And you Kevin Drum link.

Yes, I really read your comments and sources. Do you think someone deep in self deception would do so?

So you apparently believe there is a "correct liberal answer". Kind of like I do.

And you are a unique individual with unique beliefs. Like I said.

So because I attack and belittle the "correct liberal answer" or the "correct conservative answer", does that mean I am de-humanizing any particular person or their beliefs?

Or do I have the ability to be aware of the difference the "correct Liberal beliefs" and Laurie's beliefs?

Please remember that I think most Liberals have good intentions. Unfortunately as I often say...

"The path to hell is paved with good intentions."

John said...

So where again did I ever say... "This is what I think Laurie believes?"

The reality is that you answer with the "correct Liberal views" so often that I am not sure what you truly believe.

This about as close to being candid as you have come lately.

"It seems to me the current level of immigration is about right. seems like we are at full employment and anybody who wants a job and is employable should be able to find one ( I see lots of help wanted signs.) some places probably need more immigrants. I read about a county in Indiana where companies might need to move due to a worker shortage. "

Of course it begged the question. Why such an out cry to accept more refugees then? Or illegal border crossers? Why not let wages rise for awhile?

Laurie said...

this is who / what I was agreeing with

Sean said...
Frankly, I don't see a whole lot of signs that you follow the tenets of the above. But, that's just my opinion.

I do give you credit for putting MUCH more effort into sharing your views than I do.

Maybe you could help me better understand by applying the guiding principals below that you shared. For "others" I have in mind the 22 million low to moderate income (the lazy people of poor character) who are projected to lose access to health care under the GOP healthcare act. ( btw most of them are children, seniors, disabled or working poor)


How to Recover Inner Clarity & Peace

Look for signs of self deception (blaming others, self justification, stereotyping, labeling/dehumanizing others, etc)

Stop and find a new perspective (friends/family who are not involved, memories, activities, places, etc)

Ponder the situation anew. Ask:

What are the other person’s or people’s challenges, trials, burdens, and pains?

How am I, or some group of which I am part, adding to these challenges, trials, burdens, and pains?

In what other ways have I or my group neglected or mistreated this person or group?

In what ways are my "better-than", "I-deserve", "worse-than", and "must-be-seen-as" boxes obscuring the truth about others and myself and interfering with potential solutions?

What am I feeling I should do for this person or group? What could I do to help?


If you are going to answer that we should teach them how to fish please explain what this entails and how it will help.

Actually, I know your answer will actually be a variation of leave it to the states, which could be a PARTIAL answer in a few places but to me it seems like mostly a copout as the republicans that you vote for won't support doing anything significant at the state level

John said...

Personally I think that "leave it to the States" is a pretty complete answer. Not sure why folks keep demanding a Federal solution to a local problem.

As for "the lazy people of poor character", please guide me to where I have written that?

You know my views on many of these topics. Not sure how detailed you want me to get:
- Deport illegal workers and allow shortage of workers to drive up compensation.
- Encourage American consumers, especially pro-union folks to Buy American.
- Reduce government benefits so people are highly motivated to get a job and/or move to where the jobs are.
- Provide free long acting reversible contraception to all who want it.
- Penalize irresponsible people who have >2 children and they are on welfare / medicaid.
- Offer training and incentives to learn.

In my view teaching people to fish requires making them somewhat "hungry / motivated" and providing them the tools / coaching to help themselves.

John said...

As for the How to Recover Inner Clarity & Peace... I am not sure where to start since I do not feel any anger or frustration towards the 22 million low to moderate income people who may lose their health insurance if they do not change their ways and/or their State does not pick up the responsibility.

Look for signs of self deception (blaming others, self justification, stereotyping, labeling/dehumanizing others, etc): I do believe that the war on poverty did a great deal of harm to many people, however I accept that the implementers of the war had good intentions. Unfortunately it rewarded poor choices and penalized good ones and has trapped many people in a poor system.


Stop and find a new perspective (friends/family who are not involved, memories, activities, places, etc) Through G2A I continually look for new perspectives to challenge my perceptions

Ponder the situation anew. Ask:

What are the other person’s or people’s challenges, trials, burdens, and pains?
I think of how hard it must be to escape a system that defends questionable schools, rewards questionable choices and does not hold irresponsible and incapable Parents accountable.

How am I, or some group of which I am part, adding to these challenges, trials, burdens, and pains?
I understand that the GOP's anti-free LARC position, anti-early ed, anti-parent ed, etc positions are contributing to the problem.

In what other ways have I or my group neglected or mistreated this person or group?
The areas and States where the GOP tries to limit voting by these groups of people is unacceptable.

In what ways are my "better-than", "I-deserve", "worse-than", and "must-be-seen-as" boxes obscuring the truth about others and myself and interfering with potential solutions?
I need to be aware and keep looking for these because they can be dynamic.

What am I feeling I should do for this person or group? What could I do to help?
- Promote school accountability
- Promote free LARC
- Promote early ed and parent ed
- Promote accountable parenting
- Promote reducing free handouts
- Promote Buy American and deporting illegal workers.
- Give generously to charities who help these people.
- etc

Anonymous said...

"Liberals seem to think giving poor people "something for nothing" is in some way helping them "learn to fish" when it just teaching them to "line up for more free fish"

Is Obamacare "something for nothing"? I it not insurance people pay for? On the other hand, how would we go about describing the Republican plan to reduce the number of insured Americans by 22 million without denying them health care? who is going for their health care? How can the Republican plan not be fairly described as something for nothing?

It is the irony of Obamacare, one Republicans cannot possibly avoid. TrumpCare is Obamacare lite and as such, will always be subject to the criticism Republicans make against Obamacare. It's why TrumpCare doesn't have the features, Republicans criticize Obamacare for lacking.

--Hiram

Sean said...

"You will lose your ability to listen or be heard if you stop thinking of them as individual people and start thinking of them as objects, groups, obstacles, stereotypes, labels, etc."

Yet look at many of your threads and comments. It's "liberals do this..." and "conservatives do that". Look at our multiple conversations about the criminal justice system -- no recognition of what African Americans face as individuals, just your belief that they should be treated as they are based on the collective problems in parts of their communities. I could go on and on, but I have no desire to litigate this on a line item by line item basis. It's not worth my time.

"(Do your research and THINK !!!)"

You consistently provide uninformed opinions on things like health care, where you've said on many occasions that you don't know much about how the ACA works. Yet, when people explain how the bill does actually work, you never seem to change your opinion.

"What are the other person’s or people’s challenges, trials, burdens, and pains?"

On health care, you've consistently expressed no real policy preference, because you've stated you think you'll be fine no matter what. But the policies proposed do impact others -- tens of millions of other people. Maybe you should consider what might happen to them.

John said...

Hiram,
As I have often said. ACA had many good aspects.

Unfortunately one of its big downsides is that it is paid for by big new specific taxes on one group of people, so that all those funds can be given to another group of citizens.

And yes Medicaid, it's expansion and even the sizeable subsidies do seem very similar to welfare in the category of "money / services for nothing". Again, other than standing on American soil... What are the recipients doing to earn those benefits from the tax payers?

Or is "Standing on American soil" doing something?

John said...

Sean,
Nowhere in the Anatomy of Peace does it say that one has to give up themselves or all they own to be at Peace. Nor does it say that we should use government to right all wrongs.

These are often the answers recommended by folks on the Left.

I have repeatedly said that I believe the ACA had benefits and detriments. I do feel empathy and sympathy for unsuccessful people and the challenges they face in life, however this does not mean I must support robbing Peter to give to them. That is only 1 of many possible solutions.

I have repeatedly said that there are some bad / incompetent officers and that their employers need to be held financially responsible for their screw-ups. And hopefully that liability will drive change and improvement. I simply do not support throwing public employees in jail for doing their job to the best of their abilities.

As for Blacks and the Criminal justice system, I feel for the individuals however that does not mean I am going to give them a pass on how they are contributing to the problem.

John said...

Here are some simpler examples from conflict with heart.

"As a Supervisor, you have an employee that for some reason simply is unable to perform per the job expectations. You have worked to understand and resolve the problem with the employee. Unfortunately, you understand it is not going to work out. You fire the employee with full understanding and empathy of the impact on the employee and their family. (ie "No heart" would fire that "lazy, inept, incompetent, thieving, etc" employee with only coldness or angry feelings)"

"As a Parent, your 4 year old continually violates a well known household rule. You work to understand the child's perspective. (ie confusing rule, desire to show independence, not getting enough positive attention, etc.) Then you act to clarify or simplify compliance, or enact better punishments to drive discipline. All the time thinking of how to help the child to learn this important lesson. ("No Heart" would keep punishing the "difficult child/ brat", all the time getting more upset or angry...)"

Sean said...

"That is only 1 of many possible solutions."

You haven't articulated a solution, though.

"As for Blacks and the Criminal justice system, I feel for the individuals however that does not mean I am going to give them a pass on how they are contributing to the problem."

How is a law-abiding black citizen "contributing to the problem"? Why should they have to be hassled by the police because of the actions of others?

John said...

Of course I have articulated solutions... From my view we do not have a healthcare problem, except maybe the American Overweight/Obesity and Drug Addiction problems.

We have a poverty problem that prevents people from paying for their own healthcare insurance. Some ways to improve on this include:

- Promote school accountability
- Promote free LARC
- Promote early ed and parent ed
- Promote accountable parenting
- Promote reducing free handouts
- Promote Buy American and deporting illegal workers.
- Give generously to charities who help these people.
- etc

Unfortunately there are people fighting these ideas for various reasons.

Laurie said...

Your list below of how you would help medicaid recipients does next to nothing for most of people who receive this benefit- children, seniors in nursing homes, and people with disabilities.. With my current rate of saving I am on track to be a medicaid recipient should I need long term nursing home care. Maybe if I am still reading your blog at age 90 you can chastise me for being so irresponsible or to play it safe you could just do that now. Your list:

- Promote school accountability
- Promote free LARC
- Promote early ed and parent ed
- Promote accountable parenting
- Promote reducing free handouts
- Promote Buy American and deporting illegal workers.
- Give generously to charities who help these people.
- etc

John said...

As for why should a person who looks like another person who is a criminal be hassled... I think you understand why...

It is not right, it is not fair, however it is logical and normal.

If community has problems with young Black men who wear black hoodies... All young Black men wearing black hoodies will be suspect...

Fixing this requires 2 things:
1. Stop the criminals
2. Train the police to look for small differences

John said...

Laurie,
Do you believe that your Children, State and/or Charities are going to let you suffer for your poor financial planning?

Not sure why you think your elder care needs to be delegated up to the Federal government? Thoughts?

Laurie said...

You seem to have no understanding that people with a high income have a much easier time saving than people of a more moderate or low income. Maybe I should have saved the $ rather than buy a puppy recently, but I choose not to live like a pauper and instead choose to enjoy life today (at a reasonable level.) To save $ I did buy my new dog from a place that seemed like a bit of a puppy mill for $400 rather than spend $2000 to get one from a high quality breeder.

Here are some medicaid facts for you. I think it will be very hard for families, state govts, or charities to take over all the long term car money for seniors that we may be about to lose with cuts to medicaid. The facts:

Medicaid is particularly important to seniors who require long term care and their families. That will be most of us one day: 70 percent of Americans ages 65 and older will eventually require long-term care services and supports, which include nursing facilities, home health aides, personal care, and family caregiving. Medicaid covers sixty percent of nursing home residents and forty percent of long term care services and supports.

Without Medicaid, millions of seniors and their families will not be able to afford long-term care. The median yearly cost for home health help is $46,000 per year, and for a nursing home it’s $92,000! In comparison, the average yearly Social Security benefit is only $14,776. Taking Medicaid benefits away from seniors forces their families (especially women) to provide at-home care even if they don’t have the time or skills to do so adequately. Those seniors who don’t have family members or friends who can take on care responsibilities are condemned to a lonely death.

Social Security Works has released a factsheet detailing the importance of Medicaid to seniors, through protections such as:

Protection against high out-of-pocket costs. Medicaid helps to shoulder the burden of Medicare’s high out-of-pocket costs for seniors that live in or near poverty. For seniors living at or below the monthly federal poverty limit, Medicaid pays for Medicare premiums and cost sharing obligations. Medicaid also provides assistance in paying Medicare premiums for seniors living just above the poverty line (typically those with incomes of 100-120 percent of the federal poverty limit).

Coverage of critical services. In addition to assisting low-income seniors with out-of-pocket healthcare costs, Medicaid provides coverage for a range of critical healthcare services that are not covered by Medicare. These services, which are especially vital to seniors, include prescription drugs, eyeglasses, and hearing aids. Medicaid ensures that seniors who already struggle to cover their basic costs of living do not have to forgo these important healthcare services.

Long-Term care. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services estimate that at least 70 percent of Americans ages 65 and older will one day need long-term care services and supports, which include nursing facilities, home health aides, personal care, and family caregiving. Because Medicare’s coverage of long-term care is extremely limited, and similar coverage under private insurance is typically unaffordable, seniors with chronic conditions who require assistance with daily living often exhaust their resources paying for long-term care services. For these seniors, Medicaid is often the insurer of last resort. Long-term care is one of Medicaid’s most critical, and invaluable, protections for our nation’s seniors. Indeed, one-fifth of Medicaid’s overall budget is spent on long term care.

Nursing home services. In addition to covering long-term care, Medicaid provides critical coverage for seniors who rely on nursing home care. Such coverage is usually expensive, especially for seniors with limited means. Without Medicaid, seniors living in or near poverty would be forced to forego much-needed nursing home care.

Sean said...

Better start fundraising.

"The country’s religious congregations will have to add $714,000 to their annual budgets each year for the next decade to make up for the drastic cuts found in President Trump’s federal fiscal year 2018 budget proposal, according to Bread for the World. "

Every church needs to raise $714,000 per year to offset Trump budget cuts

John said...

"I think it will be very hard for families, state govts, or charities to take over all the long term car money for seniors that we may be about to lose with cuts to medicaid." Laurie

Okay let's get back to basics...

Where do the Federal dollars for Medicaid come from?

Do the Feds have a money tree in Washington DC that is used to fund all these programs?

No they do not... So if the Feds are not collecting and spending on Medicaid... That would mean that the State and Families should have money available to collect and use if they choose to.

John said...

Laurie,
I am happy you got a puppy, though I hope it is less expensive than mine. :-)

We got Izzie from the GV Humane Society and the she is the sweetest most loving dog one could find... Unfortunately she freaks when left alone in new places... She has cost me a bedroom floor and several sets of window blinds so far...

Then she wandered off and tried to play with some strange dog who tore open one of her ears on a Sunday... It is nice to have emergency vets available, but they are not cheap.

Well I knew there were risks in adopting a 4 year old 75 pound potential juvenile delinquent like her... What I do in the name of charity... :-)